18 Ways to Add an Architectural Statement with Doors and Windows

Internal windows and doors can make the most stunning architectural features in a home. Whether you’re looking to spruce up a standard-looking HDB or elevate your condominium to the next level, these ideas will do just the trick.

1. French Doors

French doors are usually made of glass and are typically seen in a pair. They give off an air of elegance and make you feel like royalty when you enter. We absolutely adore how they have been utilised in this Jumbo HDB home, separating the primary suite from the foyer and creating the illusion of a private balcony. To maintain privacy, curtains have been added as well.

Design: MET Interior

2. Bi-Fold Windows

The home office in this apartment’s set of bi-fold windows allow plenty of light and fresh air to flow in. These windows are perfect for providing flexibility, as they can be opened without occupying much space. To create a visually seamless look, opt for frames that complement the carpentry style throughout your home.

Design: SG Interior KJ

3. Louvres

Louvres are usually found in BTO bathroom windows, but they can bring a distinct and retro charm when used in other parts of your home. Here, a full-length louvre was placed on a small part of the bedroom wall, but it still makes a significant visual impact to the space.

Design: Habit

4. Swivel Doors

When it comes to swivel doors, it's important to take into account the amount of clearance space they need. Before you start thinking about getting one, make sure you have enough square footage to accommodate it. These doors have a certain grandeur to them and can really make a bold statement in your home.

Design: Insight.Out Studio

5. Awning Windows

Unlike traditional casement windows, awning windows have a unique opening mechanism where they open from the bottom. This unconventional design can add an interesting touch to the interiors of your home. In this HDB, the awning windows, complemented by brown frames, create a Zen cafe-like atmosphere in the space.

Design: Ethereall

6. Saloon Doors

These unique turquoise saloon doors provide a charming touch to the common bathroom and kitchen. Not only do they allow for cross-ventilation, but they also ensure a certain level of privacy without taking up too much space.

Design: Free Space Intent

7. Round Window

Why limit yourself to straight lines when you can embrace the beauty of a perfect circle? This charming round window adds a delightful touch to the minimalist design of the white kitchen. The choice of semi-transparent, wired glass allows for a soothing glow to radiate through the space.

Design: The Local Inn.terior

8. Sliding Door with Glass Inserts

In this 2-room BTO, a sliding door keeps the bedroom and living room distinct while also serving as a feature wall for this small space. With an arched fluted glass insert, this wood structure lends privacy and cosiness all at once.

Design: Weiken

9. Bi-fold Door with Glass Inserts

Adding glass inserts to your doors is a great way to instantly enhance their visual appeal. Instead of going with the usual rectangular-shaped inserts, opting for oval-shaped panels like this kitchen bi-fold door adds a unique twist to the traditional look.

Design: Habit

10. Wooden Shutters

Love all things vintage? Go the old-school route with wooden shutters. These ones below were actually reclaimed pieces from an old shophouse, but you can easily get customised ones for your own home.

Design: Free Space Intent

11. Pocket Door

Pocket doors get their name because they require a recessed area for them to slide into when opened. We like them for smaller areas of the home because they help to make the most of the available space. Take for example this en-suite bathroom door—the neat, stowed-away design allows for storage on both sides of it.

Design: Noble Interior Design

12. Arched Door

By now, you’d have probably seen a lot of arched doors in homes in Singapore. While we like the trend, here’s a suggestion to make it your own: consider making the arched opening slightly taller than the door itself. This not only lends height and grandeur to your space, but it will also allow for better ventilation, all without compromising the functionality of the door.

Design: Three-D Conceptwerke

13. Arched Window

Take the arch trend all the way to your internal windows. The metal grid design on both the arched door and window really makes the kitchen look like a shopfront.

Design: The Scientist

14. Moon Gate

For a little oriental flair, this moon gate design is the perfect choice. Originating in Chinese gardens, this design can be brought into your interiors by carving a circular opening on the wall and then utilising double doors for extra privacy. When viewed from one side, it creates a delightful illusion of the doors appearing like circular cut-outs.

Design: Lemonfridge Studio

15. Shoji-Like Screens

Fans of Muji or Japanese style homes can go for internal windows that mimic the look of shoji screens found in traditional Japanese inns. This particular design in this HDB can even be tucked into the side, ensuring that it doesn’t interfere with the overall functionality of the space.

Design: Sync Interior

16. Casement Windows

If you like sticking to conventions, good ol’ casement windows are your surest bet. Lined along the length of the living room, this set of casement windows looks out to the balcony and invites light and ventilation into the interior, creating a bright and airy apartment.

Design: In-Expat

17. Rattan Pivot Doors

Rattan doors are a great way to bring a touch of natural texture into your space. They offer the perfect balance of allowing a gentle breeze and natural light to filter in, all while maintaining a certain level of visual privacy. We like these pivot ones below, as they provide the flexibility to adjust the angles, allowing you to control the amount of sunlight and ventilation that enters.

Design: Authors Interior & Styling

18. Barn Door

You don’t have to embrace the modern farmhouse style in order to incorporate a barn door into your home. In this timeless and chic kitchen, featuring black-and-white floor tiles and marble countertops, a vibrant firehouse red barn door adds a bold touch.

Design: Museum Homes